Archive · 12 Aug 2026
India home to over 60% of world's wild Asian elephants
On World Elephant Day, India told everyone about its elephants.
India is home to more than 60 out of every 100 wild Asian elephants on Earth.
That is a lot of elephants!
The country has 33 special places called reserves where elephants can live safely.
India's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said elephants are a big part of India's natural heritage.
He thanked forest workers, scientists, vets, mahouts, and local people who help care for elephants.
The Environment Minister said India is working to protect the paths elephants use, called corridors.
India has more than 22,000 wild elephants.
The country wants people and elephants to share a good future together.
India is home to over 60 percent of the world's wild Asian elephants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on World Elephant Day.
India has 33 elephant reserves, strengthening efforts towards the long-term conservation of the species.
Modi posted on X that the elephant is an integral part of India's ecological heritage.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed India's commitment to securing a shared future for elephants and people.
India has 150 scientifically validated elephant corridors and more than 22,000 wild elephants, per the Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants 2021-25.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
- What
- India highlighted that it is home to over 60 percent of the world's wild Asian elephants and has 33 reserves, reaffirming its commitment to elephant conservation
- When
- World Elephant Day, observed annually on August 12
- Where
- India
- Why
- To celebrate elephants as part of India's ecological heritage and strengthen long-term conservation efforts
- Country
- India
- Share of world's wild Asian elephants
- Over 60 percent
- Elephant reserves
- 33
- Scientifically validated elephant corridors
- 150
- Wild elephants in India
- More than 22,000
- Population estimation
- Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants 2021-25
- World Elephant Day
- August 12
- Key figures
- PM Narendra Modi; Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
